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PJI Celebrates Banner Year of Court Victories, Successes

Sacramento, CA – As the Christmas season reminds us of the importance of faith and family, the Pacific Justice Institute would like to thank the supporters, affiliate attorneys and staff who made 2010 one of the most victorious years in PJI’s history. A few of this year’s court wins and other milestones are as follows:

– At the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco, which has federal jurisdiction over all the Pacific states and territories, PJI served as co-counsel with the U.S. Department of Justice in securing a major victory upholding the constitutionality of the national motto, “In God We Trust.”

– In the Sacramento region, PJI staff and affiliate attorneys won a landmark decision from the California Court of Appeal in favor of a youth pastor who had been arrested for simply sharing his faith.

– In Washington, D.C., a federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit by atheists and humanists challenging prayer and the oath of office administered at presidential inaugurations. PJI successfully defended Drs. Rick Warren and Joseph Lowery, who were named as defendants in the suit.

– In the Bay Area, PJI staff and affiliate attorneys favorably settled a federal lawsuit on behalf of two students who had been disciplined and threatened with expulsion by their community college for praying. The college retracted the discipline and paid PJI attorneys’ fees.

– In San Jose, a college biology professor received a $100,000 settlement of a federal lawsuit after she was fired for referencing scientific research that was deemed anti-gay. The professor was jointly represented by PJI and the Alliance Defense Fund.

– In Southern California, the city of Rancho Cucamonga was forced to backpedal and reverse its attempts to shut down a home Bible study after PJI got involved.

– In the Bay Area, after PJI filed suit on behalf of parents who were denied the right to opt their elementary-age children out of controversial pro-LGBT curriculum, the Alameda school board finally scrapped the curriculum.

– Besides its own caseload, PJI filed several major amicus briefs in key cases involving Prop. 8, parental rights, the Pledge of Allegiance, faith-based schools, and the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, commented, “Although our funding has taken a major hit from the bad economy, PJI had its most successful year ever in terms of court victories, and we are redoubling our efforts to protect people of faith. We are so thankful for God’s blessings and for our faithful supporters.”

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